Starting a relationship with someone can be an exciting time in life. You find that you have things in common and you want to spend time enjoying the adventure of getting to know each other. What happens when the distance between you is problematic? The ability to see each other daily is minimal when there is a significant distance between you. No matter how far apart you are, loving with intention and truth is the basis for even a long-distance relationship.

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. – 1 Corinthians 13:4, NASB

10 Long-Distance Relationship Tips

Couples counseling can help you formulate a way to cultivate a healthy relationship even if it is long-distance. Here are some long-distance relationship tips and ideas for for making the best use of couples counseling.

Set clear expectations.

When a relationship is just starting it is beneficial to set expectations and ground rules. This will lessen the likelihood of miscommunication of what would be acceptable behavior.

Communicate regularly

In any relationship, communication is important. Long-distance relationships require an extra level of communication because of the limited time spent together physically.

This doesn’t mean that you have to be on the phone 8 hours a day. This means connecting with the right words at the right time. A Christian counselor can help with communication through online couples counseling.

Learn to live apart

Living in a long-distance relationship can be the perfect chance to learn how to live apart from one another. This can increase confidence and trust in the relationship.

Be creative about doing things

Even though you may be apart there are ways that you can share the same experiences. There are ways to do things together and be in different locations. Watching an episode of a favorite show or YouTube channel is one way to enjoy something at the same time. Going on a walk while face-timing is another activity that can be done together.

Plan visits

The best part about long-distance relationships is the time spent together physically. Be intentional and create a visit schedule to determine when each of you will travel to be with the other.

Set a goal

At some point in the relationship, it would be wise to set goals for the future of the relationship. Long-distance will only be feasible for a certain amount of time. This is no different than any other relationship. Couples counseling with a Christian counselor online can help you understand how to prioritize your goals and set a plan of action to achieve them.

Keep honesty at the forefront

There is no way around honesty. Each of you must be honest about feelings, concerns, or ideas. Be able to share the hard times even though you are apart. This will cultivate a bond that will continue to grow as the relationship grows.

Understand each other’s schedules

You will find it helpful to know each other’s schedules. This will help you know when each other is available to text or have a quick chat on the phone. Share the times that there is a big event such as a business trip or college exam to ensure that you know how to encourage one another.

Give special gifts

When you have time together leave a special gift to show that each of you is thinking of the other when you’re not together. It doesn’t have to be big to be special.

Send physical letters and gifts

A physical letter can mean so much more than you might think. It shows that you have taken time to share thoughts and feelings with the other person. Sending gifts can be a wonderful surprise for the other person.

Next Steps

Being committed to a long-distance relationship doesn’t have to be complicated or tiresome. It has to be intentional and respectful. Take time to understand what is meaningful to the other person and find ways to use those to speak their love language. If you’re looking for additional support beyond these long-distance relationship tips, connect with a Christian counselor in Redding, California. At Redding Christian Counseling in California, we offer online couples counseling options for you and your partner.

Photo:
“Dried Flowers”, Courtesy of peter bucks, Unsplash.com, CC0 License

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